It was a sensational Sunday for Super Eagles stars across the globe as Nigerian stars took center stage in Greece, Belgium, and France.
From clinical finishes to vital midfield playmaking, Cyriel Dessers, Rafiu Durosinmi, and Tochukwu Nnadi all delivered standout performances to lead their respective clubs to commanding victories.
Here is a full breakdown of how Nigeria’s top European stars made their mark this weekend.
Cyriel Dessers Strikes Again in Panathinaikos’ 5-1 Demolition
Cyriel Dessers proved that his goalscoring touch is fully restored after bagging his second goal in as many games to power Panathinaikos to an emphatic 5-1 victory over Asteras Tripolis in the Greek Super League.
Following up on his mid-week strike against Borac Banja Luka in the UEFA Europa Conference League, the 31-year-old forward showed superb technique in the 62nd minute.
Bringing down a pinpoint pass from Imrân Louza inside the box, Dessers turned cleanly and slotted home calmly to make it 3-1, effectively crushing any hopes of an Asteras comeback.
Key Stat: Dessers has now registered 6 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions this season for the Greens.
Panathinaikos dominated from the whistle at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, with further goals from Stefan de Vrij, Davide Calabria, Andrews Tetteh, and a star-of-the-match display from Louza (1 goal, 2 assists) capping off a ruthless home victory.
Hot-Streak Durosinmi Seals Belgian Cup Advancement for Genk
In Belgium, 23-year-old striker Rafiu Durosinmi continued his fine run of form, scoring a crucial goal in KRC Genk’s comfortable 2-0 away triumph over Royal Excelsior Virton to secure a spot in the Belgian Cup Round of 16.
Building on his goal against Kortrijk in their last outing, the summer signee double Genk’s advantage in the 28th minute of the Round of 32 clash.
Following Daan Heymans’ 17th-minute opener, Durosinmi clinically finished off a team move to put the game out of Virton’s reach before half-time.
Impact Player: Since his €10.5 million transfer from Viktoria Plzeň, Durosinmi has racked up 7 goal contributions in just 9 appearances, becoming a key focal point in Genk’s attacking structure as they regain momentum.
Tochukwu Nnadi Breaks 175-Day Drought with Key Assist for Marseille
Over in Ligue 1, midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi marked his first start of the season with a dramatic and influential performance in Olympique de Marseille’s 5-2 goal-fest over Angers SCO at the Stade Raymond Kopa.
Making his presence felt in a rollercoaster match, Nnadi ended a 175-day wait for a goal contribution (his last coming in April).
In the 83rd minute, the 23-year-old snapped up a loose ball in midfield and threaded an exquisite through-ball to Amine Harit, who curled it into the net to make it 4-1.
Although Nnadi conceded a penalty earlier in the 74th minute, his tireless work rate and decisive transition play helped Marseille bounce back from their European defeat to Olympiacos, lifting them to 9th in Ligue 1 as they prepare to face Sturm Graz.
